Which option fits
| Your situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| Afternoon or evening flight, light luggage, staying central | The direct bus from Pattaya bus station |
| Staying in Jomtien or Pratumnak, with a suitable departure | The direct bus from Jomtien bus station, which runs every hour |
| You’d rather be collected at your hotel | The operator’s shared hotel pick-up (fixed times) |
| Early-morning flight, a group, or heavy bags | A private car booked the day before |
| Flying from Don Mueang (DMK) | Check Transport Co.’s timetable first; otherwise a private car |
The direct bus from Pattaya
Roong Reuang Coach runs the direct bus to Suvarnabhumi from Pattaya bus station, on North Pattaya Road near Sukhumvit Road. Buses leave at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 21:00. A seat costs ฿135 per seat, and the ride takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Book ahead. Tickets sell out usually at least an hour before departure, so book on the operator’s website a day or two before you fly, and keep the booking on your phone. Tickets can't be cancelled or refunded. Pick your bus carefully.
Luggage: the fare includes one small personal bag plus one bag or suitcase up to 20 kg. Extra or heavier bags pay a fee.
The direct bus from Jomtien
If you’re staying in Jomtien, don’t cross town: buses leave Jomtien bus station every hour from 06:00 to 22:00. A seat costs ฿158 per seat, and the same booking, luggage and no-refund rules apply.
Jomtien has an earlier first departure than Pattaya bus station. Check it against your airline’s recommended airport arrival time before choosing it for a morning flight.
Getting to the bus station
Pattaya bus station is inland on North Pattaya Road, so most visitors need a ride to reach it. With a suitcase, a ride-hailing car from your hotel door is the easy option; check the pickup point, quoted fare and any extra charges before confirming.
Allow time for your hotel-to-station ride as well as the check-in lead time. Aim to reach the counter at least 30 minutes before departure. Keep the station name on your booking handy: Pattaya bus station and Jomtien bus station are different boarding points.
Shared hotel pick-up
The same operator runs shared transfers that collect you from your hotel and drop you at Suvarnabhumi. Pick-ups from Pattaya hotels are at 06:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00. You’ll see the price when you book, and you skip the ride to the bus station.
Private car
A private car leaves when you want and goes door to door, which makes it the right choice for early flights, groups and heavy luggage. Book with a known transfer company, or agree the full price, including motorway tolls, before you set off. Ride-hailing apps can also do the whole trip; check the quoted fare, chosen service and any extra charges before confirming.
How early to leave
Start with your airline’s recommended airport arrival time for your flight. Its check-in or bag-drop deadline is the final cut-off; it leaves you less room for queues, security, immigration and reaching the gate.
- Find the recommended arrival time in your airline’s booking or check-in information.
- Allow the road journey, about 2 hours, depending on traffic, plus extra time for traffic or a delayed departure.
- Choose a bus that should arrive before that target with the extra time still available. Take an earlier departure if the choice is close.
- Work back again to leave your hotel: add the ride to the correct station and reach its counter at least 30 minutes before departure.
If your airline asks you to be at BKK by 1pm, a bus expected to arrive at 1pm is already too tight: one delay puts you past that target. Choose a departure expected to arrive earlier, then add the hotel-to-station ride and bus check-in time to your plan.
Early and late flights
- Morning flights: compare the first bus or shared hotel pick-up with your airline’s recommended arrival time, including the road journey and a traffic margin. If it cannot get you there early enough, book a private car the day before or spend the final night near the airport.
- Late-night flights: an evening bus may work, but check its arrival against your airline’s time. Taking an earlier bus can mean a long wait at the airport; check when your bag-drop counter opens if you have checked luggage.
- Running late for your bus? Tickets can’t be refunded, so don’t gamble on the next bus having seats: check how soon a car can arrive and reach BKK. If you may miss check-in, contact your airline; changing transport cannot guarantee you will make the flight.
Flying from Don Mueang (DMK)
Don Mueang is Bangkok’s other international airport. Check Transport Co.’s booking site for current buses from Pattaya before you plan around one. If no bus reaches DMK before your airline’s recommended arrival time with a traffic margin, book a private car.
Before your last day
- Bangkok airport to Pattaya: the arrival side, for your next trip.
- Getting around Pattaya: baht buses, ride-hailing and motorbike taxis.
- The baht bus: routes, fares and how to ride
- Staying in Pratumnak: check your transfer to Jomtien bus station before departure.